WHY WE WALK

Hope for a brighter tomorrow for children with trisomy 21

Children born with Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, often face an uncertain future. This common chromosomal abnormality, which affects about 5,000 babies born each year, puts children at greater risk for chronic and life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, bone deformities, neurological, gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders, as well as feeding and developmental disabilities.

At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), patients are cared for by our Trisomy 21 Program, an innovative, multidisciplinary program that began in 2003 to provide and coordinate care for children with this complex disorder. Our program is unique, in that we care for patients with Down syndrome throughout their lives — not just during childhood.

Today, the Trisomy 21 Program provides care, education and services to more than 2,000 individuals and their families each year. Our patients have diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and come to CHOP from near and far – even other countries.

The Trisomy 21 Program at CHOP would not exist as it does today without the tremendous support of the CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day.

Since 2003, the CHOP Buddy Walk® has raised more than $3.4 million for Down syndrome research and services at CHOP.

How Your Support Helps

By participating in the CHOP Buddy Walk®, raising funds or donating to the event, you are supporting:

Ongoing clinical care and coordination for more than 2,000 children and adults with Down syndrome
Education for families, medical providers and community members about trisomy 21 and its effects through annual conferences, support groups and medical meetings

Guidance for families who are navigating community and government resources to get their child the help they need

Development of a network of professionals who have an interest in and expertise working with children and adults who have Down syndrome

Creation of new assessment tools to help identify medical and developmental issues earlier and intervene quicker

Research breakthroughs that will improve the quality — and quantity — of life for people with Down syndrome

With your support, babies born with Down syndrome can experience the many joys of childhood — and flourish in adulthood.

Our Champions

Patient Champions for the CHOP Buddy Walk® have a big job to do. It’s up to them to represent the thousands of children born with Down syndrome each year. As they share their stories, they help the world understand more about trisomy 21 and why it’s worth supporting institutions like Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.